Craftylilly

Telegram from the Craftylilly front

Got part time job teaching *stop*
Working like crazy *stop*
Trying to get kids ready for school too *stop*
Knitting a lot to save sanity *stop*
No time for blog at the moment *stop*
Hope to return in a week or so to update on new shawl *stop*
Miss you all *stop*
Talk soon *stop*

Tale of a mohair warp

About two months ago, I dug out a collection of purple yarns that had been marinating in my stash for a few years.  I decided that since the yarns did not call out to be knit, perhaps their true destiny was to be woven into a lovely scarf.  I am a very beginning weaver.  Only two scarves have been woven on my rigid heddle loom.  I didn't realize that one should really not use a mohair yarn as a warp.  Warping the loom went relatively smoothly, although I did notice that as I threaded the heddle that the mohair yarn seemed to stick a bit.  That should have been a clue.  I soon realized as I started to weave, that mohair is very, very sticky.  So sticky is mohair, that as I raised and lowered the heddle, the yarn would stick together so much that I had to seperate them by hand every time I tried to create a shed.  Weaving took a very long time.  Very long.  The only thing that kept me from cutting the yarn off the loom and stomping on it in disgust was how beautiful the finished project was coming out.  I used a couple of novelty yarns that had metallic fibers running through them as the weft, and I really like how this yarn twinkles through the mohair halo. 

So, in the end, I kept with it, and completed the scarf yesterday while the kids enjoyed their last day at Bible camp.  The scarf is destined to be given to a good friend so I know it will be well loved.  I'm never using mohair as a warp again though.  I've learned my lesson.

Summer of craft

I've been a busy crafter this summer.  Yes, the kids are out of school which sometimes means I can't get a lot of crafting done, but I've been doing projects with them, and have been finding 15 minutes here, 30 minutes there to craft.  It's amazing how much progress can actually be made by lots of short periods of crafting time throughout a week. 

The biggest and most exciting crafting for me these past few weeks has been getting reacquainted with my spinning wheel.  I picked out some red, white, and blue corriedale roving from my stash, and spun up around 300 yards of 2 ply in sport to worsted weight.  I think it came out quite pretty.  Two interesting things came out of this project too.  One, since I did not seperate the colors when I spun it up, the results is a lovely meld of red, white, and blue making much of the yarn a lovely purple.  Two, I spun this up while watching several episodes of Dr. Who Season Three and discovered that the Red Ranger likes Dr. Who as well.  That's my boy.

I've also been crafting with my kids.  Of course this isn't any surprise for those of you who have known me long.  Our latest project was pony bead lacing.  The kids did some basic stringing.  The Red Ranger made a necklace and bracelet, and Princess of Quite-a-lot made a long string of beads that she said could be used for a snake, sculpture, or forcefield protecting her action figures from attack.  I made a simple cuff bracelet closed with a button.  We then had a fun photo shoot to show off our creations.  If you are my friend on facebook, you can check out the rest of the photo shoot which includes the kids' creations as well, and a goofy picture of me with mine.

I've also finished knitting up my Chocolate Lace tank which used the Spidery Tank pattern from the latest Interweave.  I'll post pictures of that later. I've also sewed a top that needs pictures too. Contemplation has begun on taking out the crocet hook again and making a bag.  If you check out Futuregirl, she's got a super cute free crochet pattern for a bag; it's called Starling bag.  I'm thinking of picking up a hook to try my hand at it.  Knitting has begun on a Spring Things Shawl as well.  I've also got a scarf on the loom, but I wasn't the smartest beginning weaver and warped my Harp with... wait for it... mohair.  Yes, woe is me.  It's slow going, but it's going to be so pretty, and it's a gift for a friend who will love it, so it's worth the effort.

Whack of celebrations

I've been really bad about celebrating/acknowledging the family celebrations on the blog.  RM's birthday went without a peep of acknowledgement, then I had a birthday.  But I am managing to post today, RM and my 11th anniversary.  I love you D, and look forward to many, many more years with you. 

(And just so I don't seem like a total web slacker, I did announce/celebrate the aforementioned events on Facebook.  That counts too, no?)

School's out for summer!

PQL had her last day last week, but RR gets out today.  The first graders are going to have Olympics this morning, and then pizza at school.  A classmate has then invited everyone over for a swim party.  There's only one bummer on the day, it's a cloudy and cool day.  I don't think that's going to keep the kids out of the pool though. 

Although I've been caught up in the end of school goings ons, I have been crafting quite a lot.  I'm completed three washcloths, and am working on a fourth.  I've also sewn a simple skirt.  I'm having so much fun with my sewing machine, I plan on trying my hand at a few more skirts and another summer top or two.  The skirt I just completed I just winged, but I just picked up a book called Sew What Skirts that goes over how to draft differnt skirt shapes.  I'm especially interested in drafting an A-line skirt.

 I also completed my February Lady Sweater.  It's been cool lately, so I can still wear a sweater, but I think this little pink number will be spending time in storage until next fall.  I really love this sweater though!  It's so soft due to the yumminess of the malabrigo, and the shape is very flattering.  Here are the specs.

Pattern:  February Lady by Pamela Wynne

Yarn:  Malabrigo in Geranio.  When I first got this colorway, it was a bit of a stretch for me.  In the skein it's a very bright, vibrant pink.  After knitting it up, the color becomes a very rich purpley/pink and is just lovely.

Needles:  Size 8 Addi interchangeables

Thoughts:  This is a simple and cute pattern.  It went pretty quickly aside from being distracted by other crafting pursuits while knitting it.  The lace pattern is easy to memorize, and I like the style of having just a few buttons at the top.  I'll get a lot of wear out of it next fall/winter.

I hope to be around the blog and the blogiverse much more this summer.  I've got lots of crafting planned, and kid crafting in the works.  The kids are working on Pom-Pom creatures, friendship bracelets, decoupage boxes, and we may tie-dye some shirts.  I've got weaving, spinning, sewing, knitting, and I'm going to try my hand at some bead crochet as well.  Too bad summer is only 3 months long, eh?

I'm more active on Twitter (craftylilly), and on Facebook.  I also am having a huge on Ravelry.  I've got a bunch more to put up by the weekend, sweater quantities and several skeins of Kureyon, so if you are interested check that out too. 

On your marks, get set, Summer on!

Yes indeed, summer is certainly almost here.  The kids and I are already thinking of all the things we'd like to do this summer.  For the kids the list goes as follows:  swim, play, swim, swim, swim, play some more, swim.  For me the list goes like this:  knit, spin, weave, sew, read.  Good thing I can do many if not all of these things poolside, no?

I got started early with the sewing by make the Spring Ruffle Top my Made by Rae.  I'm a sewing newbie, and made a few mistakes along the way, but I'm pleased overall with the finished top.  I elected not to put ruffles on  the straps.  I've got a good set of shoulder, and don't need to be calling attention to them.  I also did sew in the arm divots (what a clever thing), and did not do the waist shaping.  I see this as more of a flowy shirt, and didn't need the shaping.  This summer I want to play around with my sewing machine and make some other things.  I'd like to make a skirt, another top or two, and maybe a bag.  I'm definitely less intimidated about sewing more complicated items after working on this one.  What a great tutorial!  As you can see my fabric is of owls who are clearly experiencing a winter climate.  This ironic use of fabric for a spring/summer top does not concern me, however.  After all, the owls are wearing knitwear. 

Thanks to all who sent RR and the rest of us support last week.  The Ranger is doing well after his eye surgery.  His eyes are still tender, and have started to itch as they heal, but he's in good spirits, and is looking forward to returning to school tomorrow.  The relief is overwhelming.

Good surgery vibes will be gratefully accepted

The Red Ranger is having his eye surgery today.  I'm not concerned about the surgery itself, but I don't like the general anesthesia he'll be under.  We'll all be relieved when it's over.  The poor guy and I spent about 6 hours down at the hospital yesterday (his birthday no less) doing pre-op appointments. 

So... if you have a moment, some positive mental energy sent his way, and ours will be gratefully accepted. 

Happy Birthday to my Red Ranger!

I can't believe that he is 7 years old!  He had a great time at his soccer party yesterday.  Although it was 100 degrees yesterday, the boys seemed to really enjoy running around and playing soccer.  I, on the other hand, was melting along with the cupcake frosting, in the shade. 

RR is such a happy, fun, sweet boy.  I'm so proud to be his mama.  Happy Birthday boyo!

He also has a brand new smile in time for his birthday!  We love that toothless grin. 

Random life moments and some cute amigurumi!

My kids convinced me to pick up the crochet hook after more than a decade of no crochet.  During their Spring Break we went to Michael's.  The kids saw this cute little free crochet pattern for a Rudy the Rectangle.  A few minutes of discussion later and we were picking out colors of Vanna's Choice acrylic and pulling off a copy of the free pattern.  I realize now why I don't crochet very often.  I'm the slowest crochetista on the face of the planet.  Seriously.  I was able to finish them both up though, and the kids love them.  The pattern itself is very easy, and crochet really does make a nice firm fabric for toys.  I don't see these little guys stretching out of the shape like some knit toys have after vigorous kid play.  Overall I also didn't mind working with the acrylic Vanna's choice.  It wasn't squeaky at all, didn't hurt my hands to work with it, and made a nice crochet fabric.  I've got plenty let over for some other amigurumi, but I need to finish my February Lady sweater first, and a Spring Things Shawl I've had on my to do list forever.  Oh yes, I also have some sewing, weaving, and spinning planned too.  It's starting to sound like I won't be crocheting for quite a long time, huh?

Since I last posted on the blog, life has been quite busy here at Chez Craftylilly.  Here's a short list of some highlights:

• The Red Ranger is scheduled for eye surgery in a little over a week.  It's the same surgery the PQL had last year.  We're all a little stressed.  RR is most bummed that he has pre-op appts on his 7th birthday, and has to miss 2 weeks of baseball after surgery.
• PQL had the stomach flu last week.  Luckily the rest of us escaped, but the cleaning and sanitizing fervor I get when the dreaded stomach bug hits the house is legendary.  My hands are still recovering from all the washing.
• The kids are all signed up for summer day camps.  July should be a busy month for them, and thus a smooth month for me!  They will be doing some sports, some church camp, and some science camp.  Good times.
• I'm trying to make some decisions about going back to work.  The good news is that I feel ready to go back to the classroom.  The bad news is that since PQL will be in kindergarten next year, it might not be totally feasible for me to do so for another year.  Plus, with the budget problems in California, teaching jobs are scarce this year.  We'll see.

I'm hoping to get some crafting done before the kids are off for the summer.  I have a feeling that my time will be drastically cut after school gets out.  What are your plans for last spring/early summer crafting?

Spring Break is over, but the crafting was good

The kids are happily back and school, and I'm ready for the final 6 week push to the end of the year.  We did have a good Spring Break together though!  It was a low key one, which was very nice.  We took a couple of day trips, and did some crafting together.  First, we decorated T-shirts with Crayola fabric markers and crayons.  After using both and laundering the finished shirts, I have to say that the fabric markers worked the best.  The fabric crayons are best used on 100% polyester clothing, but seriously, who would wear a totally polyester shirt?  I don't have a picture of the results for the blog, but if you are a friend of mine on Facebook, you can check out pictures that I've posted there.  Most of the pictures in this post are from our second craft project.

We also make felt cuff bracelets with some felt stickers, buttons, and strips of felt.  This was a simple project, though I did need to whip stitch around the buttonholes to reinforce the felt.  If I was to do this again, I may use a snap closure to make it easier for the kids.  I do think they came out great though!  The kids have been using them as their superhero cuffs.  Good times.

And to prove that I am knitting and crafting a bit myself, here's a WIP pic of my February Lady sweater.  I'm knitting her in Malabrigo worsted in the Geranio colorway.  Mmmm, malabrigo...  This sweater is such a fun knit.  I'm not sure if it's the yarn or the cute pattern, either way I'm enjoying the knit!